Sunday, 24 June 2012

[HM:253892] Moving to GM Role?

You have slaved long and hard in a functional role, rising to "manager of accounting" or "maintenance manager" or "HR manager" or any number of other management roles. Now you want to move up a step to General Manager*.

What do you need to do now to prove that you are ready for the move up? Here is what I look for in a potential General Manager.

Leadership skills

I look for evidence that a candidate has demonstrated most of the following skills in his or her current role:

Business acumen - understanding the basic drivers of our business and comfort with the three basic financial reports (P&L statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement) and ratio analysis

Thinking strategically

Planning, budgeting and cost control

Driving for, and getting results through others, including executing strategic and tactical plans

Developing resources, especially people and teams - including hiring, firing, retaining and developing direct reports (monthly coaching sessions are one great tool for making this happen)

Workplace culture development

Delegation and follow-through - and keeping commitments

Learning on the fly

Influencing, and building trust

Conflict resolution

Communicating effectively - in writing, on the phone, over email, in person, in front of groups

Listening

Managing change

Making decisions at the appropriate level of risk

Priority setting

Problem solving - alone, and with others

Self-awareness and self-development

Functional knowledge

I look for deep knowledge in at least one functional area. In addition, I want to see that the candidate has stretched out in order to have an impact on other functions. For example, a manager of operations should have shown the ability to add value on sales calls. Functions you should be aware of and be able to contribute ideas to might include:

Human Resource management

Accounting and finance

IT

Environmental controls

Engineering

Logistics

Maintenance

Manufacturing/operations

Purchasing

Sales and Marketing

Customer service and order fulfillment

External relations

If you are aspiring to a GM role, what are you doing to demonstrate these skills and knowledge? If you are already a GM, what would you add or take away from this list?

*A general manager usually has responsibility for all aspects of one segment of the business: finance, accounting, sales and marketing, human resources, operations, purchasing and so one.